It’s NBA Trade Deadline day, when fans have learned to expect the unexpected.
Last season, there were 11 deals made in the hours leading up to the 3 p.m. end time.
Here’s a just few of the rumors circulating the Internet on Thursday morning:
— The Bucks County Times is reporting that 76ers GM Sam Hinkie is “gauging interest” around the league in rookie center Jahlil Okafor. It seems unlikely given the Duke product’s potential, but with fellow big men Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid also on the roster, it makes for an intriguing possibility. Noel’s limited offensive abilities and Embiid’s constant injuries make Okafor the most attractive piece on the roster.
— The Kevin Love-to-Celtics talk just won’t die. CSN New England is reporting that Boston has joined talks between Cleveland and New Orleans that involved Pelicans’ sharpshooter Ryan Anderson. The exact paramaters of the deal are unclear, and talks are “very fragile.”
— Where is Channing Frye headed? The Magic are looking to unload the center to save salary cap space, and Frye seemed headed to the Clippers for a package of Lance Stephenson, C.J. Wilcox and draft compensation. But ESPN is reporting that the Cavaliers have offered center Anderson Varejao to Orlando in attempt to trump the Clippers.
— Despite Pau Gasol’s wishes to stay in Chicago, the Bulls are making a strong push to trade the power forward, and the Kings are one potential destination, according to The Vertical. The deal outlined by the website had Gasol and Tony Snell headed to Sacramento for Ben McLemore, Kosta Koufos and lowering the lottery protection of the Kings’ 2016 first-round pick that the Bulls already own.
— The Rockets and Jazz are contemplating a swap of disappointing point guards. ESPN is reporting the teams are in discussions to deal Ty Lawson and Trey Burke. Utah is desperate for a veteran point guard, and Lawson might be the best available, despite a disastrous first half with the Rockets.